How to Start Caring for Your Parents Remotely

Being there for your aging parents may mean having to move
back home, or move them to your area if you live far away. But what if there
was another option? Caring for your parents remotely is now a possibility if relocating
yourself or your parents isn’t currently an option. Even if you cannot be there
every day, you still have care options to ensure your parents are receiving the
care they deserve and need. Continue reading to learn more about your
options as a long-distance caregiver.

Start Important Discussions

The first step to being a long-distance
caregiver and caring for your parents remotely is to discuss essential
long-term care and planning options. Create a plan right away to ensure legal
documents and a financial budget are in place. Include time to make a
connection with local emergency and healthcare professionals.

Legal
Documents Are Up to Date

Talking about wills, selecting a
power of attorney, and addressing advanced directives may seem daunting.
However, they’re critical legal documents to help with long-term
care planning. Especially as a long-distance caregiver, you and your
parents should know what happens if there is an emergency and someone needs to
take charge.

Understand the Money

Money may not be something you
have ever discussed with your parents beyond casual conversation. But, it’s now
time to review your aging parents’ financial situation with them and the rest
of your family. Without an understanding of what funds are available, your
family may incur unexpected bills.

Develop a budget that includes
what care your parents can afford now and what they can afford long-term. As a
long-distance caregiver, you may have closer family members who can help
financially or offer routine care and support. Having that support group may
save you and your family money over time. And, knowing who is responsible for
handling bill payments will give you peace of mind.

Create an Emergency Plan

Having everything in place for an
emergency will ease the stress of caring for your parents remotely. Create an
emergency plan with your parents, local family and friends, doctors, and
hospitals. Establish who is the primary caregiver and point of contact when
there is an emergency.

Medical alert systems are essential in preparing for an emergency, such as a fall or other health concerns. When a fall occurs, whether from a mobility issue, stroke, or heart attack, you need to know that your parents can get help right away. Many medical alert devices, such as the top-rated devices by caring.com, include fall alerts, voice-to-text, and voice-activated calling.

Establish Open Communication with Healthcare
Professionals

An essential step to take when caring for parents remotely is to make sure the right people have your contact information. This includes professional home care service providers, doctors and hospitals, and even community organizations. If there is an emergency, you need to be reachable.

Build Your Support Network

You have options to build a support
network, even if you are caring for your parents remotely. This network could
include senior
transportation to and from the doctor or grocery store, local family and
friends who have time to stop in and visit, and community organizations that
help seniors. You do not have to be the primary caregiver by yourself—caregiver
burnout is real!

If you or your family is feeling
the effects of caregiver burnout—lack of focus, anxiety or depression, mood
swings, or personal neglect—reach out to a trusted home care professional. At
MediQuest Staffing & Homecare, we provide
families with quality support and health care options. Whether caring
remotely for a parent means you need help every day, or just someone to step in
for respite care or after hospital stays, we offer flexible scheduling!

Get the Most from Your Visits

As a long-distance caregiver, you
want to get the most from the visits with your parents. Make time to enjoy each
moment with your family, but don’t forget to check in on finances, legal
documents, or signs that your parents are unhappy. Request support from your
family if you know you have a difficult topic to discuss, or you want to plan
an outing for your parents.

Have a List of Important Topics to Discuss if
Needed

As we talked about earlier in this
blog post, having conversations with your parents and family about important
topics will help you develop a successful long-term care plan. However, as
situations change, you may need to discuss these same topics again.

Keep an eye on financial and legal
situations, as well as look for signs that your parents need a different care
plan. The more you can stay ahead of, the less caregiver burnout you will face.

Enjoy the Time

The most important aspect of being
a long-distance caregiver is to enjoy the time you have with your parents. You
have a lot of responsibility as a caregiver, but don’t let that stand in your
way of enjoying family time and outings. If you are worried about
transportation or assistance for a family event, know that there is help out
there! Many professional home care companies, like us at MediQuest Staffing
& Homecare, offer support
and assistance for family events and outings.

Need Helping Caring for Your Parents Remotely in the Lancaster County Area?

MediQuest Staffing & Homecare
in Lancaster, Pa. has been serving the community for more than 17 years. Our
team of healthcare professionals has the dedication to help improve the lives
of your loved ones and bring you peace of mind that you have the support you need.
Even if you are caring for your parents remotely, we have the flexibility to
work with your family.

Contact us today about
the home healthcare services and support that MediQuest Staffing & Homecare
can provide for your family. We are here to help!